It had been so different just four days earlier after a splendid floodlit 3-0 victory over Farway in the quarter final of the Golesworthy Cup on Tuesday night, a result that ought to have sent the Otters into the Otterton game full of confidence.

Ottery went into their encounter with promotion chasing Otterton full of confidence, writes Adam Harris

The Otters failed to build on that cup result in a game that saw Otterton show the resilience and control that has seen them take 10 points from a possible 12 since the start of February.

Ottery found themselves 2-0 down at half-time due to two self-inflicted goals that were well converted by the Otterton strikers who took their chances well in a game that reflected the league position of both sides.

After the break a lacklustre Ottery failed to mount an attempt to salvage a point and Otterton went on to convert once more in what was an easy game for them.

The deficit could have been lessened had Ottery taken one of their few chances, but they lacked creativity on a day that saw them edge closer to the trap door and leaves them needing to beat Halwill, a side who beat them 6-2 just three weeks ago, to have a chance at staying up.